Medical substance transfer system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a fluid transfer system for transferring a substance from one vessel to another vessel while avoiding leakage of liquid and gas contaminants. The transfer system includes a needle safe design that is facilitated by a housing that shrouds a tip of a fluid transfer cannula such that the cannula tip is not exposed for inadvertent puncture. This feature may also be enhanced by use of a blunt tipped cannula. The fluid transfer system permits multiple access by enabling the easy swabbing of a septum prior to use.

REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/435,274, filed May 15, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,491 whichclaimed the benefit of priority under U.S.C. §119(e) of the followingco-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Applications: (1) U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/681,083 entitled “Medical SubstanceTransfer System”, filed May 13, 2005; (2) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/685,193 entitled “Medical Substance TransferSystem”, filed May 26, 2005; and (3) U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/724,638 entitled “Medical Substance Transfer System”, filedOct. 7, 2005. Priority of the aforementioned filing dates is herebyclaimed, and the full disclosures of the aforementioned applications arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a needle-stick safe fluid transfersystem for preventing inadvertent exposure to chemicals or drugs oraerosolized components of the same. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to a means of connecting two separate devices toenable bi-directional fluid flow without the unintended exposure or riskof puncture.

Pharmaceuticals and chemicals (i.e. antineoplastics, cytotoxins,antivirals, antibiotics and radio-pharmaceuticals) are quite beneficialin the treatment of disease. However, they may cause problems for thehealthcare personnel handling them. The drugs can be quite dangerous andcaustic. Thus, in the preparation and administration of drugs intendedfor injection or infusion, special considerations must be made forsafety. Inadvertent and unintended exposure can lead to seriousconsequences.

Aerosolization of these drugs during the preparation phase is welldocumented. Studies have shown residual drug to be found on worksurfaces, trays, floors, vials, and outside those areas wherepreparation is performed. During the administration phase it is notuncommon for personnel to come into contact with these drugs throughspills, inadvertent contact and residual drug remaining on surfaces.Furthermore, studies have shown the presence of these drugs in the urineof healthcare personnel. Serious complications can occur due toexposure. Such complications include liver damage, leukemia,non-Hodgkins lymphoma, skin cancer, miscarriages, malformation and lowbirth weight.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved fluid transfersystems that prevent inadvertent exposure to harmful materials, such aschemicals or drugs or aerosolized components of such drugs.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a fluid transfer system for transferring a substance fromone vessel to another vessel while avoiding leakage of liquid and gascontaminants. The transfer system includes a needle safe design that isfacilitated by a housing that shrouds a tip of a fluid transfer cannulasuch that the cannula tip is not exposed for inadvertent puncture. Thisfeature may also be enhanced by use of a blunt tipped cannula. The fluidtransfer system permits multiple access by enabling the easy swabbing ofa septum prior to use.

In one embodiment, the medical substance transfer system includes atransfer device and a receiver device adapted to removably couple to thetransfer device. The transfer device can include, for example, at leastthe following: (1) a transfer housing defining an interior chamber; (2)a first septum movably disposed in a distal end of the chamber in asealing relationship with the chamber, wherein the first septum has adistal surface substantially flush with a distal edge of the transferhousing; (3) a cannula that extends through the chamber such that whenthe transfer device is uncoupled from the receiver device, a distal tipof the cannula is optionally positioned proximal of the distal edge ofthe transfer housing; and (4) a biasing member inside the chamber, thebiasing member adapted to bias the first septum toward the distal end ofthe chamber.

The receiver device can include, for example: (1) a receiver housingthat defines an interior passageway in communication with a distal tipof the cannula when the transfer device and receiver device are coupledto one another; and (2) a second septum disposed in a proximal region ofthe housing. The second septum can have a proximal surface substantiallyflush with a proximal edge of the housing such that the proximal surfaceof the second septum is in juxtaposed contact with the distal surface ofthe first septum when the transfer device and receiver device arecoupled to one another. The second septum provides a barrier to preventfluid from escaping from the interior passageway of the receiverhousing.

The medical substance transfer system can further include a wipingmember disposed in the housing distal of the second septum. The wipingmember is adapted to wipe the cannula during uncoupling of the receiverdevice and transfer device. The second septum and the wiping member candefine a repository, such as a space, therebetween. The repository isadapted to retain fluid. The wiping member can comprise any of a varietyof structures, such as a third septum or a duckbill valve.

The first and second septums optionally contact the cannula when thetransfer device and receiver device are coupled to one another such thatthe first and second septums wipe the cannula during coupling anduncoupling of the transfer and receiver devices. The first septum,second septum, and the wiping member can all wipe the cannula duringuncoupling of the transfer device from the receiver device.

In one embodiment, the distal tip cannula is at least partiallypositioned inside the first septum when the transfer device and receiverdevice are uncoupled from one another.

The first and second septums and any wiping members may optionally haveslits for passage of the cannula therethrough. In addition, the firstand second septums can comprise resilient material that provides bulkresilience to maintain a closed, default state. The distal tip of thecannula can be blunt or sharpened.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first septum moves in aproximal direction through the interior chamber of transfer housingduring coupling of the receiver device to the transfer device. The firstseptum maintains a sealed relationship with the chamber during suchmovement.

The transfer device is configured to attach to a first vessel such thatthe cannula fluidly communicates with the first vessel. The receiverdevice attaches to a second vessel such that the interior passageway ofthe receiver housing communicates with the second vessel. Uponconnection of the transfer device to the receiver device, the cannulaand interior passageway can collectively provide a passageway betweenthe first and second vessels. The first septum and the biasing membercan be separate devices or can be combined into a single device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of a firstembodiment of the transfer system.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the transfer system in anassembled state with a transfer device and a receiver device coupled toone another.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the transfer device.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the receiver device.

FIG. 5 shows the transfer device positioned adjacent the receiver devicejust prior to coupling of the two devices.

FIG. 6 shows the transfer device coupled to the receiver device.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of the transfer system.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show yet another embodiment of the transfer system.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show yet another embodiment of the transfer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a transfer system that can be used to transfer a substancebetween a pair of vessels in a manner that avoids contamination.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of a firstembodiment of the transfer system 100, which includes a transfer device110 and a receiver device 115. The transfer device 110 and the receiverdevice 115 are configured to be removably coupled to one another fortransferring a substance therebetween.

In this regard, the transfer device 110 is described herein as thedevice from which the substance is transferred and the receiver device115 is described as the device for which the substance is transferredto. It should be appreciated, however, that the transfer device 110 canbe configured to receive the substance from the receiver device 115 suchthat the transfer device 110 is the receiving member and the receiverdevice 115 is the transfer member. For example, the cannula-basedhousing described below can be on the receiving side of the substance.Thus, the nomenclature of “transfer” and “receiver” are used in anexemplary manner and are not to be considered limiting. Furthermore, thetransfer system 110 can also be used for bi-directional transfer of thesubstance across the system such that each device 110 and 115 can beboth a transfer device and a receiver device.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the transfer system 100 in anassembled state with the transfer device 110 and the receiver device 115coupled to one another.

The transfer system 100 is configured to transfer any of a variety ofsubstances, including, but not limited to, medical fluids, drugs andbody fluids including blood, from a first vessel 117 to a second vessel118. As mentioned, the transfer system 100 can also be configured totransfer the substance from the second vessel 118 to the first vessel117. For example, in the case of blood, the transfer system 100 cantransfer blood from a vessel 118 comprised of a catheter in a patient toa vessel 117 comprised of a syringe. The first vessel 117 and the secondvessel 118 are both schematically represented using boxes labeled 117and 118 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the vessels 117 and 118 can be any typeof container configured to permanently or temporarily hold, store, ortransfer a fluid substance. The first and second vessels 117 and 118 caneach comprise, for example, an injection syringe, a blood collectioncontainer, an ampoule, a drug container, a drug vial adapter, a solutioncontainer, an injection port, a needle free valve, a y-connector, acatheter, any portion of an infusion or intravenous injection system, ablood vessel of a patient, etc.

The transfer device 110 is configured to be removably attached at aproximal end to the first vessel 117 and the receiver device 115 isconfigured to be removably attached at a distal end to the second vessel118. Alternately, the first vessel 117 can be fixedly attached to thetransfer device 110 and the second vessel 118 fixedly attached to thereceiver device 115. In any event, the transfer system 100 facilitatesthe transfer of a substance from the first vessel 117 to the secondvessel 118 in a manner that avoids contamination and reduces thelikelihood of the substance or gases emanating from said substanceescaping into the environment. It should be appreciated that the terms“proximal” and “distal” are relative terms and should not be consideredas limiting to the device.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer device 110 includes aproximal housing 120 and a distal housing 125 that can be attached toone another to collectively form an outer housing for the transferdevice 110. The proximal housing 120 and distal housing 125 collectivelyform an internal chamber 127 that is peripherally enclosed by walls ofthe outer housing. A coupler component 130 is disposed on a proximal endof the proximal housing 120 for enabling the transfer device 110 to befluidly coupled to the first vessel 117, as described more fully below.A cannula 135 having a blunt distal tip extends through the internalchamber 127 along a central, longitudinal axis A of the transfer system100. It should be appreciated that the blunt distal tipped cannula 135can also be a sharply pointed cannula. A transfer septum 140 is movablypositioned within the internal chamber 127. The transfer septum isdesigned to keep the contents of the internal chamber 127 from escapingoutside the internal chamber 127. For example, if the substance leaks oris otherwise disposed in the internal chamber 127, the transfer septum140 provides a seal with the walls of the internal chamber 127 toprevent the substance from escaping into the surrounding environment.

A biasing member 145, such as a spring, is disposed in the internalchamber 127 between the transfer septum 140 and a portion of theproximal housing 120, such as a proximal wall of the proximal housing120. The biasing member 145 biases the transfer septum 140 toward adefault position, such as at or near a distal end of the internalchamber 127. The biasing member 145 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as aspring, but it should be appreciated that the biasing member 145 can beany structure or mechanism that provides a biasing force against thetransfer septum 140.

With reference still to FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiver device 115 includesa housing 150. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 150 defines an internalpassageway 155 for the passage of fluid received via the transfer device110 into the second vessel 118. The receiver device 115 further includesa receiver septum 160 disposed at a proximal end of the housing 150 inthe pathway of the passageway 155. The receiver septum 160 maintains anenclosure of housing 150 and passageway 155 such that the contents ofpassageway 155 cannot exit or otherwise escape from housing 150 exceptby means of the cannula 135 passing through the receiver septum 160. Aslit 165 extends longitudinally through the receiver septum 160 alongthe axis A. The slit 165 can be manufactured such that slit 165 remainsclosed in a default state to prevent the flow of fluid therethroughunless the slit 165 is manually opened. In this regard, the receiverseptum 160 can be manufactured of a polymeric and resilient materialthat is able to provide bulk resilience to maintain the closed, naturalstate of the slit 165. The slit 165 can be manually opened by insertingthe cannula 135 of the transfer device 110 through the slit 165 uponcoupling of the transfer device and the receiver device. In this manner,the cannula 135 provides a fluid pathway between the transfer device 110and the receiver device 115, as described more fully below. It should beappreciated that should cannula 135 be sharply tipped, a pre-formed slit165 in receiver septum 160 may not be a required element.

The transfer device 110 is now described in more detail with referenceto FIG. 3, which shows a cross-sectional view of the transfer device110. The coupler component 130 comprises any type of mechanism that canbe coupled to the first vessel 117. In one embodiment, the couplercomponent 130 is a female Luer lock, female Luer slip type or other formdesigned for the removable attachment of first vessel 117. The couplercomponent 130 could also be configured as a male Luer lock, male Luerslip connector, or other form designed for the removable attachment offirst vessel 117. For non-removable connections the coupler could be anintegrally molded part of another device or attached by bonding, weldingor other means to fixedly attach two parts.

An entry chamber 305 is disposed within the proximal end of the proximalhousing 120 and communicates with the first vessel 117 (shown in FIGS. 1and 2) when attached to the transfer device 110, such as via a syringethat is disposed in the entry chamber upon coupling to the first vessel117. The entry chamber 305 also communicates with a transfer passageway310 that extends axially through the cannula 135. The transferpassageway 310 communicates with an aperture 307 at the distal end ofthe cannula 135 for transfer of fluid out of the cannula 135.

With reference still to FIG. 3, the transfer septum 140 is movablydisposed within the internal chamber 127. The transfer septum 140 isconfigured to slidably move within the internal chamber 127 along thedirections represented by the arrows D in FIG. 3. The biasing member 145biases the transfer septum 140 toward a distal-most position within theinternal chamber 127 such that the transfer septum 140 is in adistal-most position as a default position.

The transfer septum 140 includes one or more sealing portions thatsealingly engage the internal walls of the chamber 127. The structuralconfiguration of the sealing portions can vary. In one embodiment, thesealing portions comprise annular protrusions 315 peripherally locatedon the transfer septum 140. The protrusions 315 can serve a variety ofpurposes. For example, the distal-most protrusion 315 a functions as amechanical stop that engages a shoulder on the housing to prevent thetransfer septum 140 from being expelled out of the housing of thetransfer device 110. The protrusions 315 can also function as o-ringtype seals that sealingly engage an internal wall of the internalchamber 127 to prevent fluid (liquid or gas) from escaping from theinternal chamber 127. Thus, the protrusions 315 form a fluid-proof sealthat prevents fluid from escaping from the internal chamber 127.

With reference still to FIG. 3, the transfer septum 140 has a distalsurface 320 and a proximal surface 325. In one embodiment, the transferseptum 140 has a size and position such that there is a space betweenthe distal surface 320 and a distal end 330 of the transfer devicehousing, as is shown in FIG. 3. However, it should be appreciated thatthe distal surface 320 of the transfer septum 140 can be positionedflush with the distal end 330 of the transfer device housing or can atleast partially or entirely protrude distally outward from the transferdevice housing. The distal surface 320 can vary in contour. For example,the distal surface 320 can be flat or it can be convex such that thesurface bows outward in a distal direction.

With reference still to FIG. 3, a slit 335 extends longitudinallythrough the transfer septum 140 along the axis A in the same manner asthe slit 165 in the receiver septum 160. The transfer septum 140 can bemanufactured of a polymeric and resilient material that provides bulkresilience to maintain a natural, closed state of the slit 335. The slit335 can be penetrated by the cannula 135. In one embodiment, a distalregion of the cannula 335 is positioned within the slit 335 when thetransfer septum is in the default position, as shown in FIG. 3. That is,the cannula penetrates the slit 335 when the transfer septum 140 is inthe default position. In an alternate embodiment, the distal region ofthe cannula 135 is positioned outside of the transfer septum 140 whenthe transfer septum 140 is in the default position. Thus, in thealternate embodiment, the distal tip (represented by lines 340 in FIG.3) of the cannula 135 does not penetrate the slit 335. It should beappreciated that should cannula 135 be sharply tipped a pre-formed slit335 in transfer septum 140 may not be a required element.

The transfer of fluid out of the distal end of the transfer device 110can be accomplished primarily through the connection of the transferdevice 110 to a receiver device such as the receiver device 115. The twodevices can mate via two complimentary luer fittings, e.g. the male luerof a syringe will mate to a female luer on a catheter, stopcock,needle-free valve etc. The luer is a standardized connector within themedical community. The specifications for a luer can be found inANSI/HIMA MD70.1 and ISO 594 standards.

In one embodiment, the distal end of the transfer device housing has aninternal diameter that is smaller than the outside diameter of a femaleluer in order to prevent or inhibit a female luer from being insertedinto the distal end of the transfer device housing. A female luer is anopen ended connector. Thus, if the transfer device housing was designedto accommodate the entry of the female luer, the internal chamber 127could be opened to the atmosphere and fluid and gases within the chambercould be released to atmosphere. This is an undesirable result. Thesmaller (relative to a female luer) internal diameter of the transferdevice housing prevents connection to a standard female luer.

In another embodiment, the proximal end of the receiver device 115 isgenerally a female luer that has been modified to include a septum thatseals with the transfer device 110. In this way the transfer devicehousing can mate with the modified female luer to achieve the intendedsafe transfer of fluids.

The receiver device 115 is now described in more detail with referenceto FIG. 4, which shows a cross-sectional view of the receiver device115. As mentioned, the receiver device 115 includes a housing 150 and areceiver septum 160 mounted at a proximal end of the housing 150. Thereceiver septum 160 includes a slit 165 that is penetrated by thecannula 135 when the receiver device 115 is coupled to the transferdevice 110, as described more fully below. The receiver septum 160 has aproximal surface 402 that can be flat, concave, or convex in shape.

An attachment structure 405 is located on the receiver device 115 forattaching to a corresponding structure on the transfer device 110. Theattachment structure 405 can comprise any structure or mechanism forremovably attaching a first component to a second component, such asthreads, compression fit, a latching mechanism, etc.

With reference still to FIG. 4, the receiver device 115 can be coupledat a distal end to the second vessel 118. When coupled to the secondvessel, the internal passageway 155 of the transfer device 115communicates with the second vessel 118.

The operation of the transfer system 100 is now described with referenceto FIGS. 5 and 6, which show schematic representations of the transferdevice 110 and the receiver device 115. FIG. 5 shows the transfer device110 positioned adjacent the receiver device 115 just prior to couplingof the two devices. Prior to coupling the devices, the biasing member145 maintains the transfer septum 140 in its default distal-mostposition.

The transfer device 110 and receiver device 115 are coupled to oneanother as follows. The receiver device 115 is first oriented such thatthe distal surface 320 of the transfer septum 140 faces the proximalsurface 402 of the receiver septum 160, as shown in FIG. 5. The receiverdevice 115 is moved toward the transfer device 110 (as represented bythe arrow 510 in FIG. 5) such that the proximal surface 402 of thereceiver septum 160 abuts the distal surface 320 of the transfer septum140. Thus, the proximal surface 402 and the distal surface 320 are injuxtaposed contact with one another.

With reference now to FIG. 6, the receiver device 115 is then moved intothe transfer device 110 (as represented by the arrows 610 in FIG. 6)such that the receiver septum 160 pushes the transfer septum 140 in thedirections of the arrows 610. A sufficient force is exerted against thetransfer septum 140 to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasingmember 145 and thereby slide the transfer septum 140 upward (withrespect to FIG. 6) into the internal cavity 127 of the transfer device110. As the transfer septum 140 moves upward, the distal surface 320 ofthe transfer septum 140 moves upwardly past the distal tip of thecannula 135. The cannula 135 penetrates the slit in the receiver septum160 until the distal tip of the cannula 135 communicates with thetransfer passageway 155 in the receiver device 115, as shown in FIG. 6.In this manner, the cannula 135 provides a fluid passageway between theentry chamber 305 of the transfer device 110 and the internal passageway155 of the receiver device 115. It should be noted that, in thisembodiment, as the transfer septum 140 moves upward, the protrusions 315slide along the inner walls of chamber 127 and they form a compressionsliding seal to continuously maintain a sealed internal chamber 127.

As shown schematically in FIG. 6, the first vessel 117 is coupled to thetransfer device 110 and the second vessel 118 is coupled to the receiverdevice 115. As mentioned, the first vessel 117 communicates with theentry chamber 305 of the transfer device 110 and the second vessel 118communicates with the internal passageway 155 of the receiver device115. The fluid substance is transferred from the first vessel 117, intothe entry chamber 305, through the cannula 135, into the internalpassageway 155, and into the second vessel 118. During such transfer,the transfer septum 140 and the receiver septum 160 remain in juxtaposedcontact with one another.

An alternative embodiment of the transfer system, referred to astransfer system 700, is now described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.The transfer system 700 includes a transfer device 710 and a receiverdevice 715. The transfer device 710 includes an outer housing similar tothe outer housing of the previous embodiment. A biasing member 720exerts a biasing force against a transfer septum 725 to maintain thetransfer septum 725 in a default state. The transfer septum 725 includesa slit that can be passed through by a cannula 727 of the transferdevice 710. An attachment region 730 of the transfer septum 725 isfixedly attached to the outer housing of the transfer device 110 in asealing manner. That is, the attachment region 730 provides afluid-tight seal between the transfer septum 725 and the outer housingof the transfer device 110. In this manner, a sealed chamber 127 islocated within the outer housing proximal of the transfer septum 725.

With reference still to FIGS. 7 and 8, the receiver device 715 includesa housing 740 that defines an internal passageway 745. A receiver septum750 is attached to the housing 740 and includes a slit that can bepassed through by the cannula 727 when the transfer device 710 and thereceiver device 715 are coupled to one another. As can be appreciatedfrom the previous embodiment, the transfer septum 725 and the receiverseptum 750 need not be slit if the cannula 727 has a sharp tip.

In use, the receiver device 715 is inserted into the transfer device 710such that a proximal surface 755 of the receiver septum 750 abuts adistal surface 760 of the transfer septum 725. The receiver septum 750exerts a force against the transfer septum 725 to overcome the forceexerted by the biasing member 720 and push the transfer septum 725upward (relative to FIG. 7) into the housing of the transfer device 710.

As mentioned, the attachment region 730 of the transfer septum 725 isfixedly attached to the housing of the transfer device 710. As thereceiver device 715 pushes upward into the transfer device 710, at leasta portion of the transfer septum 725 moves upwardly into the transferdevice housing while the attachment region 730 of the transfer septum725 remains fixed relative to the transfer housing, as best shown inFIG. 8. The attachment region 730 of the septum creates a sealed chamber127 inside the housing to prevent the escape of any substance from thechamber into the environment. During this process, the distal surface760 of the transfer septum 725 remains in juxtaposed contact with theproximal surface 755 of the receiver septum 750.

With the transfer device 710 and the receiver device 715 coupled to oneanother, the transfer system 700 can be used to transfer a substancefrom the first vessel 117 to the second vessel 118 via the cannula 727.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show yet another embodiment of the transfer system,referred to as the transfer system 900, which includes a transfer device910 and a receiver device 915. The transfer device 910 includes aproximal housing 920 and a distal housing 925 that is slidably attachedto the proximal housing 920. A transfer septum 935 is fixedly attachedto the distal housing 925. A cavity 937 is located in the distal housing925 just below the transfer septum 935 and is sized to receive at leasta portion of the receiver device 915.

A biasing member 940 is positioned inside the proximal housing 920 andexerts a force against the transfer septum 935 to maintain the transferseptum 935 and the distal housing 925 in a default, distal position, asshown in FIG. 9. The transfer septum 935 and/or the distal housing 925includes a shoulder or other structure that engages the proximal housing920 to prevent the distal housing 925 and attached transfer septum 935from being expelled from the proximal housing 920.

The distal housing 925 can slide relative to the proximal housing 920along the directions represented by the arrows 933 in FIG. 9. A latchingmechanism 942 is attached to the proximal housing 920. The latchingmechanism 942 removably engages a portion of the distal housing 925 andprovides a means of fixing the position of the distal housing 925relative to the proximal housing 920 when sliding movement is notdesired. The latching mechanism 942 can be disengaged to permit thedistal housing 925 to slide relative to the proximal housing 920.

With reference still to FIGS. 9 and 10, the receiver device 915 includesa housing 950 and a receiver septum 955 as in the previous embodiments.An internal passageway 960 is contained in the housing 950.

In use, receiver device 915 is inserted into the cavity 937 of thetransfer device 937 until the receiver septum 955 is in juxtaposedcontact with the transfer septum 935. The latching mechanism 942 isreleased and the receiver device 915 is pushed upwardly (relative toFIG. 9) into the transfer device 910 to force the distal housing 925 andattached transfer septum 935 to overcome the biasing force of spring 940to slide upwardly relative to the proximal housing 920, as shown in FIG.10. During this process, the transfer septum 935 and the receiver septum955 remain in juxtaposed contact with one another. The cannula 960passes through the slits in both septums and provides a fluid passagewaybetween the first vessel 117 and the second vessel 118, which areattached to the transfer device 910 and the receiver device 915,respectively. As can be appreciated from the prior embodiments thetransfer septum 935 and the receiver septum 955 need not be slit if thecannula 960 has a sharp tip.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another embodiment of the transfer system 100 inwhich the receiver device 115 includes first and second seals or septums160 a and 160 b, respectively. The first septum 160 a is positioned ator near a proximal edge of the receiver device 115 and can include aslit as in the previous embodiments. The second septum 160 b ispositioned distally of the first septum 160 b such that an air space1110 is interposed between the first and second septums.

The first and second septums are configured and positioned such that atleast the distal end of the cannula 135 passes at least partiallythrough both septums when the receiver device 115 is coupled to thetransfer device 110, as described in more detail below with reference toFIG. 12. At least one of the functions of both septums 160 a and 160 bis to wipe the cannula as the cannula withdraws in the proximaldirection out of the receiver device 115. The second septum 160 bprovides a first wipe to the cannula as the cannula withdraws and thefirst septum 160 a provides a second wipe. The air space 1110 acts as arepository for any fluid that passes through the second septum 160 bduring withdrawal of the cannula from the receiver device 110.

The structural configurations of the septums can vary. For example, theseptums 160 a and 160 b can be manufactured of separate pieces ofmaterial, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 such that two separate, distinctseptums are used. In another embodiment, the septums 160 a and 160 b areconnected to one another along at least a portion of the septums withthe air gap 1110 still being interposed between the two septums. Thus,the two septums 160 a and 160 b can be formed from a single piece ofmaterial or multiple pieces of material. In yet another embodiment, oneor both of the septums is replaced by a wiping member that can be anystructure or device configured to wipe the cannula during withdrawal ofthe cannula. For example, one or both of the septums can be replaced bya duckbill-type valve or seal that wipes the cannula. Other types ofstructures can be used as long as the structure provides two separatewipes and an air space 1110 therebetween.

In use, the transfer device 110 is coupled to the receiver device 115 inthe manner described above with respect to the previous embodiments. Asthe transfer device 110 is coupled to the receiver device 115, thedistal end of the cannula 135 first passes through the first septum 160a and then passes through the second septum 160 b. The distal end of thecannula 135 then communicates with the passageway 155 in the receiverdevice 115, as shown in FIG. 12. Fluid can then be transferred betweenthe transfer device 110 and the receiver device 115 via the cannula 135.

The transfer device 110 can then be de-coupled from the receiver device115 such that the cannula 135 withdraws in a distal direction out of thereceiver device 115. As this occurs, the distal end of the cannula 135first passes through the second septum 160 b, which wipes the cannula135 during withdrawal of the cannula 135. It might be possible for somefluid to escape out of the passageway 155 through the second septum 160b. If this occurs, such escaped fluid is advantageously trapped withinthe air space 1110 that is positioned between the two septums 160 a, 160b. As the cannula 135 continues to withdraw from the receiver device115, the cannula 135 next passes through the first septum 160 a, whichprovides a second wipe to the cannula 135. In this manner, the deviceshown in FIGS. 11 and 12 provide additional wiping of the cannula 135.

Although embodiments of various methods and devices are described hereinin detail with reference to certain versions, it should be appreciatedthat other versions, embodiments, methods of use, and combinationsthereof are also possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of theinvention should not be limited to the description of the embodimentscontained herein.

1. A medical substance transfer system, comprising: (a) a transferdevice including: (1) a transfer housing defining an interior chamber;(2) a first septum movably disposed in a distal end of the chamber in asealing relationship with the chamber, the first septum having a distalsurface substantially flush with a distal edge of the transfer housing;(3) a cannula extending through the chamber, and wherein, when thetransfer device is uncoupled from the receiver device, a distal tip ofthe cannula is positioned proximal of the distal edge of the transferhousing; (4) a biasing member inside the chamber, the biasing memberadapted to bias the first septum toward the distal end of the chamber;and (b) a receiver device adapted to removably couple to the transferdevice, the receiver device including: (1) a receiver housing definingan interior passageway, wherein the interior passageway is incommunication with a distal tip of the cannula when the transfer deviceand receiver device are coupled to one another; (2) a second septumdisposed in a proximal region of the housing, the second septum having aproximal surface substantially flush with a proximal edge of thehousing, wherein the proximal surface of the second septum is injuxtaposed contact with the distal surface of the first septum when thetransfer device and receiver device are coupled to one another andwherein the second septum provides a barrier to prevent fluid fromescaping from the interior passageway of the receiver housing.
 2. Asystem as in claim 1, further comprising a wiping member disposed in thehousing distal of the second septum, the wiping member adapted to wipethe cannula during uncoupling of the receiver device and transferdevice, wherein the second septum and the wiping member define a spacetherebetween, the space adapted to retain fluid.
 3. A system as in claim2, the wiping member comprises a third septum.
 4. A system as in claim2, wherein the wiping member comprises a duckbill valve.
 5. A system asin claim 2, wherein first septum, second septum, and the wiping memberall wipe the cannula during uncoupling of the transfer device from thereceiver device.
 6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the first and secondseptums contact the cannula when the transfer device and receiver deviceare coupled to one another.
 7. A system as in claim 1, wherein a distaltip of the cannula is positioned inside the chamber in the first housingwhen the transfer device and receiver device are uncoupled from oneanother.
 8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the distal tip cannula is atleast partially positioned inside the first septum when the transferdevice and receiver device are uncoupled from one another.
 9. A systemas in claim 1, wherein the first and second septums have slits forpassage of the cannula therethrough, and wherein the first and secondseptums comprise resilient material that provides bulk resilience tomaintain a closed, default state of the slits.
 10. A system as in claim1, wherein the cannula has a blunt distal tip.
 11. A system as in claim1, wherein at least a portion of the first septum moves in a proximaldirection through the interior chamber of transfer housing duringcoupling of the receiver device to the transfer device, and wherein thefirst septum maintains a sealed relationship with the chamber duringsuch movement.
 12. A system as in claim 1, wherein the transfer deviceattaches to a first vessel such that the cannula fluidly communicateswith the first vessel, and wherein the receiver device attaches to asecond vessel such that the interior passageway of the receiver housingcommunicates with the second vessel, and wherein upon connection of thetransfer device to the receiver device the cannula and interiorpassageway collectively provide a passageway between the first andsecond vessels.
 13. A system as in claim 1, wherein the first septum andthe biasing member are separate devices.